ACTE Global (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) announced the launch of a global hotel accreditation program tailored to business travelers in an effort to standardize lodging expectations worldwide. While many hotels and conference centers have leisure travel industry-recognized ratings, many more lack metrics for business travel, according to the announcement. The new program, ACTE-BCHA (Business Conference Hotel Accreditation), guides corporate travel buyers in selecting the most appropriate business-quality accommodations for their clients. Vadim Zelenski, CEO of ACTE-BCHA, said more than 70 percent of hotels around the world are independently owned and operated and that even franchised hotels may not meet brand standards. “This program,” he said, “will identify facilities that meet business travelers’ needs.” ACTE-BCHA plans to accredit more than 10,000 hotels by 2020. Facilities will pay an annual membership fee, and compliance will be verified by independent monitors.
While many hotels and conference centers around the world have leisure-travel industry recognized ratings, many more lack metrics for the business travel sector. The new program, ACTE-BCHA (Business Conference Hotel Accreditation), guides corporate travel buyers in selecting the most appropriate business-quality accommodations for their internal clients.
“More than 70 percent of hotels around the world are independently owned and operated. Even hotels that are part of a franchise system may not meet brand standards. This program will identify facilities that meet business travellers’ needs,” said Vadim Zelenski, CEO of ACTE-BCHA.
“There are all sorts of ratings out there–diamond ratings and star ratings and TripAdvisor’s crowdsourcing. But they cater to leisure travellers, who are most interested in whether a venue is kid-friendly, offers perks or packages, or is close to local attractions. Business travellers, on the other hand, want well-stocked business centers, safes for laptops, conference centers, room service and a fitness center, along with a secure environment,» said Greeley Koch, Executive Director of ACTE Global and Head of Supervisory Board, ACTE-BCHA. “That’s what this new rating system seeks to standardise.”
ACTE-BCHA plans to accredit more than 10,000 hotels globally by 2020. Facilities will pay an annual membership fee, and compliance will be verified by independent monitors. Among the first participants in the program, Dubai-based DNATA has been selected to inspect properties in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East, effective September 2017. The program will rate other regions as it identifies and adds inspection partners.
“Business travellers want safe and productive experiences when they’re on the road—no matter where they travel. This new collaboration will help ensure they get exactly what they expect when they’re in the Middle East,” said Savio Vaz, DNATA’s Vice President Government & Corporate Travel. Winfried Barczaitis, a travel industry expert with more than 40 years in the business, has been named ACTE-BCHA’s chief operating officer. He will be based in Bad Honnef, Germany.
About DNATA
Established in 1959, Dubai-based DNATA provides air services in 84 countries, offering ground handling, cargo, travel, and catering. DNATA is a franchise partner of HRG in many countries of the region. The publicly held firm employs more than 38,000 employees.
About ACTE Global
ACTE Global (Association of Corporate Travel Executives) has a 30-year reputation for leading the way corporate travel is conducted. As a global association comprised of executive-level members in more than 100 countries, ACTE pioneers educational and technological advances that make business travel productive, cost-effective and straightforward. ACTE advocacy and initiatives continue to support impactful changes in safety and security, privacy, duty of care and compliance along with traveller productivity that supports global commerce.
Learn more at www.acte.org.
